Rathmolyon recover to secure opening victory

Slow start doesn't hamper the Village's progression

Rathmolyon 1-19

Gaeil Colmcille 1-10

It took them a while to hit their straps, but once they found their bearings Rathmolyon pulled away from Gaeil Colmcille in their IHC opener at Boardsmill on Saturday evening.

It was all Gaeil Colmcille early on as their pace and neat hurling caused Rathmolyon plenty of defensive anxiety and despite opening up a 0-2 to 0-1 lead inside five minutes when Simon Ennis (free) and Cathal Regan cancelled out Conor Og Ferguson's free Brian Gilsenan's side found themselves 0-2 to 0-6 adrift after 18 minutes.

Excellent points from Liam Ferguson and Andrew Gormley sandwiched frees from Conor Og Ferguson that were awarded after Stephen Mulligan threw the ball, Jarlath Ennis overcarried and a late hit on Liam Ferguson. Rathmolyon looked a nervous wreck and those nerves led to loads of mistakes.

They also hit six wides in that spell and while Gaeil Colmcille were decent and took full advantage of their opponents deficiencies, they couldn't find the goal that might have put the HL Div 2 champions away.

Instead Rathmolyon grew into the game and Gaeil Colmcille didn't score between the 19th and 41st minutes. In that spell Rathmolyon corrected their errant ways and went from four behind to six ahead. The game was lost for Gaeil Colmcille by that stage and even Conor Og Ferguson's brilliant goal could ignite a spark.

Whatever switch flicked for Rathmolyon after the 19th minute certainly turned on a light. Their direct approach into Daithí Grehan and Stephen Mulligan reaped dividends and probably should have earned more than it did.

Kevin Mulligan, who wore 15 despite being listed at 13, was also an excellent focal point for Rathmolyon's attack and once they got on a roll they were hard to stop.

Kevin Mulligan started that ball rolling with a fine point to make it 0-3 to 0-6. Simon Ennis fired over from inside his own half before Daniel Callaghan forced Cormac Mattimoe into a good save from which Regan landed the '65 and in the 26th minute Stephen Mulligan restored parity.

Stephen Mulligan quickly edged his side ahead for just the second time moments later and by half-time Rathmolyon's lead was out to 0-9 to 0-6 with Jack Payne and Kevin Mulligan adding scores.

The one-way traffic continued with Stephen Mulligan, Regan (free) and Jarlath Ennis stretching Rathmolyon's lead to six points within eight minutes of the restart.

Conor Og Ferguson's excellent goal three minutes later ended Gaeil Colmcille's barren spell, but it didn't turn the tide as Rathmolyon hit the next three points from Payne, Callaghan and Kevin Mulligan to make it 0-16 to 1-6.

Gaeil Colmcille did threaten a recovery from the start of the final quarter with ill-discipline from Rathmolyon gifting Conor Og Ferguson four frees in six minutes which he converted to close the gap to two points, 1-10 to 0-15.

However, Rathmolyon stepped on the gas again with Stephen Mulligan pulling to the net after Mattimoe had denied Arthur Doyle with a good save - that was game over.

Two frees from Regan and a fourth point from Kevin Mulligan put the cap on Rathmolyon's win and Gaeil Colmcille's misery was completed by a second yellow card and subsequent red for Evan Sheridan deep into injury-time.

Rathmolyon: John Harnan; Dylan Doonan, Sean Mulligan, Aron Doherty; Jamie Doonan, Jarlath Ennis (0-1), Cathal Regan (0-5 three frees, one '65'); Arthur Doyle, Jack Payne (0-2); Daniel Callaghan (0-1), Simon Ennis (0-2 one free), Martin Forde; Daithí Grehan, Stephen Mulligan (1-3), Kevin Mulligan (0-5).

Gaeil Colmcille: Cormac Mattimoe; Eoghan Flynn, Paul Tormay, Taidgh Dardis; Rian Early, Cormac Ferguson, Oisin O'Reilly; John Gormley, Liam Ferguson (0-1); Gary McGovern, Evan Sheridan, Andrew Gormley (0-1); Conor Og Ferguson (1-8 eight frees), Dylan Roche, Conal McGovern. Subs - Liam Devine for G McGovern 32m, Fionn Ferguson for C McGovern 39m, Zach Boshell for A Gormley 49m, Cormac O'Reilly for O O'Reilly, Fionn Morris for Flynn both 60m.

Referee : Kyle Waters (Offaly).